UK prime minister plays guitar with Ukrainian soldier in Kyiv on Independence Day
Barnam visited Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day, met troops and civilians, and vowed continued UK support amid the fifth year of the war.
UK Prime Minister Andy Barnam travelled to Kyiv to mark Ukraine's Independence Day and took part in allied meetings as the country marks the fifth year since the Russian invasion began.
It was Barnam's first trip abroad since taking office last month. During his visit he walked through parts of the capital, met local residents and joined a gathering of allies supporting Kyiv's defence efforts.
At one point Barnam sat beside a Ukrainian soldier and played guitar, performing a song by the cult British band The Smiths. He said he believes music can lift morale on the Ukrainian front.
Visit to damaged shopping centre and meetings with Zelensky
The prime minister also visited a shopping centre in Kyiv that was destroyed in a Russian attack in May, spending time with residents and taking selfies with people he met.
Earlier, speaking alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky, Barnam pledged that the United Kingdom would continue to support Ukraine's defence and compared the current struggle to the fight allies faced against Nazi Germany.
Photo: press material from the event
